Adults Have Many Options Today to Get Straighter Teeth

The two common dental restorations for damaged tooth are dental crowns and fillings. If you have a damaged tooth, you need to compare the two treatments thoroughly to make an informed decision. Here are some of the essential factors to compare when choosing between the two restorations:

Cost

As a general rule, a dental crown will cost you a few more dollars than a dental filling. The cost of a dental crown depends on the chosen material (among other factors), but expect to pay anything from a low of $500 for porcelain-fused-on-metal to $3,000 for all-porcelain crowns. The costs of dental fillings also vary widely, but you will rarely pay anything more than $600 per tooth.

Protection

A dental crown offers more protection to your teeth than a filling. This is mainly due to the design of the crown; it covers your tooth and holds it together. Contrast this with a filling, which just goes into the tooth cavity and leaves the tooth cusps exposed. This means a filled tooth is more at risk of breakage than a crowned one. Therefore, opt for a crown if you want to give maximum protection to your tooth.

Size of the Cavity

If the damage you want to cover up is a cavity, its size also determines which restoration to consider. Fillings are suitable for relatively small cavities, while crowns can also be used for large cavities. For a small filling, the dentist has to remove minimal tooth tissues before placing the restoration, which leaves the tooth relatively intact. The situation is different for large cavities, where most of the tooth tissues are damaged and have to be removed. This means, for large cavities, the tooth remains relatively weak and requires full protection, which only crowns can offer.

Durability

The durability of dental crowns depends on different factors, such as the material, the amount of wear the crown is exposed to, and your degree of oral care. However, dentists expect crowns to last between 5 and 15 years. As for dental fillings, expect anything from 10 to 15 years, so there isn't much difference between the two regarding durability.

Don't forget to consider the opinion and advice of your dentist before choosing the restoration to get. It's highly possible that the dentist has handled similar tooth damages in the past. With their skills and experience, they are in the best position to identify the suitable treatment for your condition. For more information, contact a local dental clinic like Charlottesville Dental Medicine at Forest Lakes.